Building joint with flexible connecting strap



v BUILDING JOINT WITH FLEXIBLE CONNECTING STRAP Filed Sept. 20, 1965 R.J. PADILLA Jan. 7, 1969 Sheet I of 2 FIG] FIGZ

' ROBERT J. PADlLLA 4 'BY aZduMI/x I ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1969 R. J.PADILLA 3,4 9

BUILDING JOINT WITH FLEXIBLE CONNECTING STRAP Filed Sept. 20, 1965 Sheet2 of 2 INVENTOR ROBERT J. PADILLA ATTORNEY;

United States Patent 3,420,019 BUILDING JOINT WITSH FLEXIBLE CONNECTINGTRAP Robert J. Padilla, Albuquerque, N. Mex., assignor to FlexstrapInc., Albuquerque, N. Mex., a corporation of New MexicoContinuation-impart of application Ser. No. 479,499, Aug. 13, 1965. Thisapplication Sept. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 488,627 US. Cl. 52-238 8 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for flexibly connecting two mutallycrossing construction parts comprises an elongated strap-like elementformed at its central portion to enable attachment to a first buildingconstruction part and formed at its opposite ends to enable the ends tobe attached to a second building construction part. Flexible portions ofthe strap-like element intervening between the central attachment andthe respective end attachments have no direct attachment to theconstruction parts, and are thus free to flex and permit limitedrelative movement between the two crossing construction parts.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationSer. No. 479,499, filed Aug. 13, 1965, for Connected BuildingConstruction Parts, and Method and Means for Connecting Such Parts, nowabandoned.

The present invention relates to building constructions and moreparticularly to connected building construction parts and methods andmeans for connecting such parts. More particularly, the inventionrelates to the connection of mutually crossing building constructionparts in a manner to permit slight relative vertical movement betweenthe parts without permitting substantial relative horizontal movementbetween the parts.

Still more particularly, the invention relates to the connection ofbuilding partitions or walls to parts of roof structures or roofsupporting structures such as lower horizontal truss members, or joists.Building roofs move somewhat with wind, snow load and temperaturechanges. Hence, if a roof is attached or connected rigidly to anunderlying vertical wall such as a partition, the latter may have tomove vertically to follow the roof movement with possible damage to thewall as for example the cracking of plaster, dry wall, etc. From thisstandpoint, it is undesirable to connect a roof support member rigidlyto an underlying wall or partition. However, a partition or wall shouldbe connected to a superimposed load supporting member such as a roofjo-ist in a manner to prevent undue horizontal movement of the wall orpartition. If walls or partitions are not tied to roof supportingmembers in a manner to prevent relative horizontal movement, the wallswill not stand solidly in fixed vertical position. A truss or freespanning joist cannot rest on a non-bearing partition unless thepartition is designed for bearing; and, in the case of a truss, thepartition is designed for interior bearing.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple yet improved buildingconstruction in which two mutually crossing parts or members, such asload supporting roof joist or truss lower member and the upper part of aWall, are connected in a manner to permit slight relative verticalmovement between the crossing parts without however permittingsubstantial relative horizontal movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of thiskind which permits the wall and ceiling coverings, such as dry wall etc.material, to remain stable as the roof moves.

3,420,019 Patented Jan. 7, 1969 Another object of the invention is toprovide a connecting device especially adapted for use in connectingsuch crossing parts or members in the manner set forth above.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of attaching orconnecting mutually crossing part to provide an assembly as outlinedabove.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the followingdescription, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary schematic perspective view showing oneembodiment of a connecting device which provides a connection betweentwo mutually crossing building construction parts in accordance with theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view through a nonload bearingpartition wall immediately underlying a load supporting part, forexample a roof joist or the lower member of a roof truss, the partitionand the lower building part shown relatively slightly separated;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but showing the parts relativelynon-separated;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary schematic perspective view similar to FIGURE1, but showing a preferred embodiment of the connecting device inaccordance with the invention;

FIGURES 5 and 6 are views corresponding to FIG- URES 2 and 3,respectively, but including the preferred embodiment of the connectingdevice shown in FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified constructionfor the outer end portions of the preferred connecting device.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 1 to 3, aload bearing structure part, for example a roof joist or lower member ofa roof truss, is shown at 1 in a horizontal position crossingimmediately above and adjacent to the horizontal upper edge part 2 of anon-load bearing partition wall structure, generally designated 3. Aceiling 4 is shown immediately under the load supporting part 1, andwall coverings 5 are shown at opposite sides of the partition 3. Theceiling 4 and wall coverings 5 are shown for indicating the environmentof the structure, and for illustrating how constructions embodying theinvention enable the ceiling covering, such as dry wall etc., to floatand remain stable where the ceiling and wall meet,

As previously stated, it is desirable to connect the load supportingmember or part 1 to the non-load supporting member or part 2 in a mannerto permit slight relative vertical movement between the parts without,however, permitting undue relative horizontal movement. To this end,there is interposed between the load supporting part 1 and the non-loadsupporting part 2 an elongated substantially flat, strap-like connectingelement, generally designated 6, which is formed, for example of sheetmetal with a central portion 6a and two outwardly projecting flexiblestrap-like portions 6b terminating in ends provided with attaching ears60. In applying the element 6 to the building construction parts 1 and 2for connecting the latter together, the element 6 is secured to the part2 by nails or other fasteners 7 in such position that the element 6extends transversely to the part 2 and parallel to the part 1,immediately underlying the latter and projecting beyond both sides ofthe part 2. The ears 6c embrace and are secured to the part 1 by nailsor other fastening means 8. It is important that the flexible portions6b intervening between the central portion 6a and the ear formed ends 60of the element 6 be free from connection or fastening to either of theparts 1 and 2. In order best to provide for flexing of the strap-likeportions 6b, the length L1 (see FIGURE 2) of each portion 6b between thepart 2 and the ears 6c at opposite ends of the element 6 shouldpreferably be at least as great as the length L2 of the portion of theelement 6 which is fastened to the part 2. In the illustratedconstruction, the length L1 is somewhat greater than the length L2.

When the parts have been connected in the manner described above, slightmovement of the load supporting part 1, as may be incident to wind, snowload and temperature changes affecting a roof, may take place while thepartition wall 3 and the wall covering, such as dry wall etc., where thewall covering meets the ceiling, remain stationary, both vertically andhorizontally as is desired. Consequently, the partition wall 3 and itscoverings are not subject to strain such as would crack plaster or causeother damage.

The above described connecting element 6 provides the desiredinterconnection of parts 1 and 2 in an entirely satisfactory manner.However, because of the ears 6c and the widened central portion 6a, thisparticular form of connecting element must be fashioned from arelatively quite wide rectangular piece of metal. The outline of element6 is of course cut out from the flat, wide rectangular metal piece andthe cars 60 are then bent upward into a plane perpendicular to thegeneral plane of the element 6 Unavoidably a considerable percentage ofthe metal material will be Wasted in fabricating the connecting device6.

FIGURES 4 to 6 of the appended drawings illustrate a preferredembodiment of the connecting device of the invention, one which is sodevised as to avoid wasting material. The preferred connecting element26 shown in FIGURES 4 to 6 is formed from a rectangular piece of metalof greatly reduced width, in comparison to the embodiment of FIGURES 1to 3. Moreover, none of the material within the simple rectangularoutline of connecting element 26 becomes waste, so that importantsavings of metal are realized.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 4 to 6, the load supportingpart 1, the non-load bearing partition wall 3 with its upper edge part2, the ceiling 4 and wall coverings 5 are shown in the same manner asbefore. Once again it is desired to connect the parts 1 and 2 in amanner to permit slight relative vertical movement between these partswithout permitting undue relative horizontal movement. In accordancewith the invention, there is interposed between the load supporting part1 and the non-load supporting part 2 and elongated sub stantially flat,strap-like connecting element, generally designated 26. This connectingelement is formed, for example, from sheet metal which is initially aflat piece of simple rectangular shape and of relatively narrow width.Connecting element 26 has a central portion 26a disposed between twoattaching ears 26d and two outwardly projecting flexible strap-likeportions 26b, each terminating in an end provided with a pair ofattaching ears 260.

The flat piece of sheet metal stock from which element 26 is formed hasslits or cuts stamped into the sheet metal along lines defining threesides of each of the ears 26c, 26d and a score line or a depressionformed along the fourth side of each of these cars. The score linesdefining the bases of the ears 260 are spaced inwardly from and areparallel to the longer edges of the connecting element 26, and the slitsor cut-out lines for each pair of ears 26c follow the shape of theletter H. The score lines for cars 26d are perpendicular to the longerdimension of element 26 and are separated by a distance equal to thewidth of the upper edge part 2 of the partition wall structure. Theslits for each of the ears 26d form the letter U. The stamped and scoredsheet metal strap 26 is left flat for easy handling and compact packingduring all the necessary storage, handling, and transportationoperations prior to its actual use in a building construction.

When ready for use, the flat sheet metal piece is converted into theconnecting element 26 by simply bending the cut-out attaching ears 26c,26d into place. The ears are readily bent along their score lines, thefour ears 26c being bent in one direction and the two ears 26d in theopposite direction into planes perpendicular to that of element 26.

In applying the element 26 to the building construction parts 1 and 2for connecting the latter together, the element 26 is placed in suchposition that the element 26 extends transversely to the part 2 andparallel to the part 1, immediately underlying the latter and projectingbeyond both sides of the part 2. The ears 26d embrace and are secured tothe part 2 along its vertical edges by nails or other fasteners 27.Similarly the ears 26c embrace and are secured to the part 1 by nails orother fasteners 28. For further strength where required, additionalnails or other fasteners 29 may be driven through holes in portions 26badjacent the pairs of ears 26c and into the part 1.

Again it is important that the flexible portions 26b intervening betweenthe central portion 26a and the ear formed ends 260 of the element 26 befree from connection or fastening to either of the parts 1 and 2. Also,for optimum flexing of the strap-like portions 26b, the length of eachportion 26b between the part 2 and the ears 260 at opposite ends of theelement 26 should preferably be at least as great as the length of itscentral portion 26a between the ears 26d.

When parts 1 and 2 have been connected by means of the connecting device26 as described above, slight movement of the load supporting part 1,due to wind, snow load and temperature changes affecting a roof, maytake place While the partition wall 3 and the wall covering 5, where thelatter meets the ceiling, remain stationary, both vertically andhorizontally. As before, the partition wall 3 and its coverings 5 arenot subject to strain such as would crack plaster or cause similardamage.

In FIGURE 7 there is shown a modified construction for the pairs ofconnecting ears at the ends of strap-like portions 26b of the element26. The arrangement shown in FIGURE 7 is such that, with an element 26of a given width, ears 26e are obtained which are of twice the lengthand half the width of ears 260 of the previous arrangement. Thecombination of score lines and slit or cut-out lines required for carsZoe will be clear from inspection of FIGURE 7. The cars 26:; are offsetor staggered in position with respect to one another rather thandirectly opposed as in the case of cars 260.

The constructions and procedures of connecting the load bearing andnon-load bearing building construction parts shown and described areillustrative rather than definitive, the invention being defined in theclaims.

I claim:

1. In a building construction, a load bearing structure including ahorizontal first part having a first longitudinal edge; a non-loadbearing partition structure including a horizontal second part having asecond longitudinal edge crossing said first part first longitudinaledge closely adjacent thereto; an element interposed between andconnecting said parts and comprising a substantially flat horizontalflexible strap-like portion extending along and parallel to said firstpart first longitudinal edge, crossing said second part secondlongitudinal edge and having ends spaced from and on opposite sides ofsaid second part second longitudinal edge and ears on the longitudinalsides of ends of said flexible strap-like portion embracing said firstpart on longitudinal sides thereof in positions spaced from and onopposite sides of said second part second longitudinal edge; first meansfastening said element to said second part where said parts longitudinaledges cross one another; and second means fastening said ears to saidfirst part, the flexible portions of said element between said secondpart second longitudinal and said ears being free from fastening toeither of said parts, whereby said flexi ble portions mayflex to permitrelative vertical movement between said parts.

2. A construction according to claim 1 in which said load bearingstructure is a roof supporting structure and said non-load bearingpartition structure is immediately underneath said roof supportingstructure.

3. A construction according to claim 2 including a ceiling coveringunderlying said roof supporting structure and meeting said partition,said element maintaining said ceiling covering stable where said ceilingcovering and said partition meet, said horizontal second part beingpositionable in vertically spaced relation to said horizontal first partwhere said horizontal parts cross, whereby said flexible portions mayflex to permit relative vertical movement between said horizontal parts.

4. A construction according to claim 1 in which the length of each ofsaid flexible portions of said element between said second part and therespective cars at opposite ends of said element is at least as great asthe length of the portion of said element which is fastened to saidsecond part.

5. A device for flexibly connecting two mutually crossing buildingconstruction parts, said device comprising an elongated strap-liketelement of rectangular outline formed at its central portion with twoopposed central attaching ears to enable attachment to a first buildingconstruction part and formed at its opposite ends with pairs of opposedend attaching ears for attachment to a second building construction partcrossing said first building construction part, the distances betweensaid central portion and the respective ends of said element being atleast as great as the dimension of said central portion parallel to thelonger dimension of said elongated element, and the portions of saidelement extending between said central attaching ears and said endattaching ears, respectively, being flexible.

6. A device for flexibly connecting two mutually crossing buildingconstruction parts, said device comprising an elongated strap-likeelement of rectangular outline formed at its central portion with twoopposed central attaching ears to enable attachment to a first buildingconstruction part and formed at its opposite ends with pairs of opposedend attaching ears for attachment to a second building construction partcrossing said first building construction part, each of said attachingears comprising a cut-out portion of said elongated element bent atright angles thereto, the distances between said central portion and therespective ends of said elongated element being at least as great as thedimension of said central portion parallel to the longer dimension ofsaid elongated element, and the portions of said element extendingbetween said central attaching ears and said end attaching ears,respectively, being flexible.

7. A device for flexibly connecting two mutually crossing buildingconstrutcion parts, said device comprising an elongated strap-likeelement of rectangular outline formed at its central portion with twoopposed central attaching ears to enable attachment to a first buildingconstruction part and formed at its opposite ends with pairs of mutuallyoffset end attaching ears for attachment to a second buildingconstruction part crossing said first building construction part, eachof said attaching ears comprising a cut-out portion of said elongatedelement bent at right angles thereto, the distances between said centralportion and the respective ends of said elongated element being at leastas great as the dimension of said central portion parallel to the longerdimension of said elongated element, and the portions of said elementextending between said central attaching ears and said end attachingears, respectively, being flexible.

8. A device for flexibly connecting two mutually crossing buildingconstruction parts, said device comprising an elongated strap-likeelement formed at its central portion to enable attachment to a firstbuilding construction part and formed at its opposite ends with pairs ofopposed attaching ears for attachment to a second building constructionpart crossing said first building construction part, the bases of saidattaching ears joining them to said elongated element lying along linesdefined by the longer edges of said elongated element, said attachingears beingbent at right angles to said elongated element, the distancesbetween said central portion and the respective ends of said elongatedelement being at least as great as the dimension of said central portionparallel to the longer dimension of said elongated element and theportions of said element extending between said central portion and saidattaching ears, respectively, being flexible.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,562,784 11/1925 Olsen 52715 X1,935,536 11/1933 Balduf 52346 1,975,470 10/1934 McInerney 52238 X1,993,792 3/1935 Manske 524-346 2,039,382 5/1936 Balduf 52346 3,000,1459/1961 Fine 28720.94 X 3,046,620 7/ 1962 Tvorik 287-20.92 3,225,39412/1965 Tillisch 28720.92 3,256,030 6/1966 Banse 52665 X FOREIGN PATENTS77,413 1/1962 France.

1,399,267 4/1965 France.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES G. MUELLER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

